AFC ALDERMASTON are into the quarter-finals of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup after winning 3-1 after extra-time away at Amersham Town on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead after just seven minutes, Michael Porter providing the finishing touch to a six-man move as Aldermaston dominated the early stages against a team who play a level above them.

They remained ahead at half-time and would have been further ahead had Porter made the most of two chances from corners. More opportunities were not taken after the break and Amersham pulled level on 65 minutes, a shot from just outside the area beating Aldermaston goalkeeper Ben Smith.

There was no further scoring before the end of 90 minutes, so extra-time was required. It took just five minutes of the additional period for Aldermaston to regain the lead, Kai Parton-Edey converting Chris Allen’s pass.

Amersham nearly equalised straight away, Smith making a fine save to keep them out, and the visitors then hit them on the break to make it 3-1, Porter picking the ball up on halfway and beating two men before slotting home.

Aldermaston were handed a setback when substitute Dan Alliston, who had only just come on, was sent off after reacting badly to a poor challenge.

They had to play the last 12 minutes with 10 men and while Smith was called upon to make a couple more saves, they held out to secure a place in the last eight.

Manager Terry Rooney said: “I was extremely pleased with the attitude and performance of the players, especially because we had gone so long without a game.”

Aldermaston’s home game against Winchester Castle, which was due to be played on Wednesday, has been postponed once more, so their next game is Saturday’s cup quarter-final against Hellenic League outfit Highmoor Ibis.

“We are looking forward to Saturday and go into the game with confidence,” Rooney added. “We just have to make sure that we are more consistent because that has been our Achilles heel this season.”